10 holiday disasters to avoid

Emma Roberts reveals 10 top tips on how to avoid a disastrous holiday.

For some of us, preparing for a summer holiday means attempting to bust those few extra pounds in the hope of achieving a killer Pamela Anderson/Peter Andre beach body.

But to others, preparing for your holiday means making the relevant checks so that you won’t be stung by any kind of holiday disaster.

Whatever your view, however, you should definitely take a look at these 10 tips to ensure you know how to avoid potential perils.

Not making sure your insurance covers all your activities

Sitting on a tranquil beach, sipping a Pina Colada just doesn’t cut it for some people. Instead, many Brits travel abroad and around the country in search of adventurous thrills.

No, this doesn’t mean that they have steamy affairs with the hotel bar staff, but many of us take part in exciting sports and adventure activities abroad.

I can’t stress how important it is to make sure your travel insurance covers you for all sports or activities that you take part in. Always check the small print of your policy before you sign up, to see exactly what you’re covered for.

Some policies offer adventure cover as an add on at an extra cost, but you could also go to a specialist adventure insurance company, such as Sports Cover Direct or Dog Tag. The same applies if you’re hitting the slopes this summer - always ensure you've got comprehensive winter sports cover. 

The key is to always shop around before buying your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what you're covered for and how much it's going to cost - don't forget to check out the lovemoney.com travel insurance comparison centre to help you with this.

Not checking the terms and conditions of your insurance

Signing up for travel insurance can seem like a bit of a hassle when you’re preoccupied with visions of holiday bliss, but make sure you don’t simply sign up for the first policy you see.

What with recent travel chaos caused by airline strikes and volcanic ash, it's even more important that you know exactly what your insurance covers.

Be aware that 40% of insurance policies don’t cover terrorism, so try and sign up for one that does. Additionally, if you’re planning on hiring a vehicle, check whether this is also covered within your policy.

Not getting an EHIC card

If you’re travelling within the European Economic Area then it’s vital that you sign up for a EHIC card, as this entitles you to heavily discounted or even free emergency health care.

With this card, you’ll be treated the same as insured nationals of the country that you’re in.

However, you still need sufficient travel insurance to cover healthcare fees, as sometimes treatments in Europe can be expensive and the EHIC card won’t always cover all the costs.

Only taking one method of payment with you

You might think you’re being sensible by leaving your cards at home, but just taking one method of payment away with you is a really bad idea.

It's well worth taking your debit or credit card with you just in case you need emergency cash, but be aware of any hefty charges that could occur if you use your card abroad. It may also be worth applying for a pre-paid currency card. You can find out more about these in The best cards for spending abroad.

Take a mixture of cash and travellers’ cheques, making sure you write down the numbers of the cheques in case they’re lost or stolen. Before you go, double check that your credit card is valid in the country that you’re visiting and note your credit card’s emergency cancellation phone number.

Skipping vaccinations

Always visit your GP at least a month before you’re planning to jet off to an exotic location and be sure to ask if there are any vaccinations that you need. Unfortunately, the majority of these won’t be covered on the NHS, so you’ll have to pay extra for them. You may also have to pay an 'advice' fee.

However, despite the cost, don't skip your vaccinations, as you could ultimately be putting your health in danger.

Leaving important documents at home

In the chaos of leaving for your holiday, it can be easy to forget documents that you think you don’t need. Always take copies of your flight and tour operator details with you, as well as any other important documents.

This means you’ll have quick access to their contact details if anything goes wrong.

Not making photocopies of your passport

Recent question on this topic

• Specsavers asks:

  Are there any new travel insurance policies that WILL pay out for delays/cancellation due to volcanic ash?

  • 
    MikeGG1 answered "If there were to be any, they would use it in their advertising. It isn't just volcanic ash that..."
  • 
    Specsavers answered "Thanks for your answer Mike...."
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In many countries, it’s a legal requirement for visitors to carry their passports with them at all times, which means there’s a higher chance of your passport being lost or stolen.

Before you go, make sure that you make two photocopies of your passport. Leave one at home with your friends or family and take the other with you.

This will make it easier and quicker for you to get a replacement passport.

Not registering with LOCATE

Wherever you’re going in the world, it’s a great idea to register with the British Foreign and Commonwealth office’s LOCATE service.

This involves a simple, free registration where you can inform the FCO exactly of your planned travels, so that they can assist you more quickly in the event of a disaster.

Not paying for your holiday with a credit card

If you can, pay for your holiday with a credit card. This is because, when you pay for something the costs over £100 on your credit card, you are protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

This means that if you use your card to buy your holiday or flights and something goes wrong with the flights or tour operator (eg. they go bust) then your credit card company is libel to give you a refund.

Find out more about the best ways to pay for your holiday.

Not checking the laws and customs of the country that you’re visiting

And finally, always take time to check the laws and customs of the place that you’re visiting, as some countries have much stricter laws than in the UK.

Do your research before you go, so you’re not caught out with expensive fines or even a prison sentence.

Taking the time to prepare for your holiday could mean the difference between a dream vacation and a horrendous holiday from hell.

More: Stupid things Brits do abroad | Avoid these sneaky charges on holiday|